Namastey California!

My first post for the year 2008, despite the fact that we are already in the third month of the year. I have kinda become irregular with blogging again and maybe that's why some people have been asking me if I have quit blogging. So, I am back after a brief sabbatical, this time live from United States.

The year had a memorable start as for the first time in my life I watched the New Year Sun Rise from 35000 feet above sea level! Yes, I was in an aircraft. That was a great experience, and somehow I had a strange feeling that this year is definitely gonna be a different one for me. And somehow this premonition turned true just two weeks later after I got the news that I will be flying on my first overseas assignment. I knew that this opportunity was in store for me somewhere, but I had least expected the timing. Bingo! So, I was told that I have 10 days to pack my bags and then I will be flying to Silicon Valley, California.

Departure from India

I made a quick trip to my home in Mysore and spent a day with my family and returned backed to Hyderabad to take care of the travel logistics. I was told that I will be required to fly from Bombay as the travel agents where not able to book flights from Hyderabad due to the short notice. So, the longest journey of my life came on Feb 3, 2008 when I boarded the flight from Bombay to San Francisco. When the flight took off from Bombay Airport, I could see the sun rise over the famous Marine Drive and this was the second time in the year when I was watching the sunrise from an aircraft. A few minutes later I could see myself transcending the Indian Peninsula over the city of Vizag and that time I realized-Boy! I am not Indian soil...bye India..will be back soon.

Landing in Silicon Valley

After a long flight via Hong Kong, I finally found myself flying over the shores of California entering the Bay area. I could see the Golden Bridge as the flight started its descent to land at the San Francisco Airport. When I landed here, it was mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness. Excited because Deloitte gave me such a big opportunity. Somewhere when I was in High School my teacher had asked me "Where do you want to be after 10 years?" and my reply was very instantaneous. I said-"I want to see how it feels to be one among those smart people out there in Silicon Valley, California". And today exactly 10 years later, I had landed in Silicon Valley. Though I was excited, there was a measured nervousness as well. Because when you have a big opportunity on your plate there is also a large paranoidism of failure. The first thing I remember when I step foot into the airport was just a silent prayer to my god. "Krsna, you have been very generous to me. This is my Karma Bhoomi, please be with me throughout. Hare Krsna!"

Its now been over 6 weeks out here and I must admit that it has been a great learning experience. I feel fortunate that I got an opportunity to work with some of the best professionals in Deloitte. Its definitely a different culture out here, things are more systematic and organized. I think we need to learn this back home in India. Back home we have more engineers in Bangalore alone than in the entire Silicon Valley. We have large pool of talent and great corporate infrastructure as well. I wish we had the right social infrastructure in place and its only then can we call ourself a true superpower aspirant.

I found an interesting track on the net from one of our Bollywood movies, maybe it speaks exactly what I am feeling now being away from home. Playing this one for the time being, will be back soon again! Till then Namastey!!

Main Jahaan Rahoon....Main Kahin Bhi Hoon...Teri Yaad Saaath Hai

Kisi Se Kahoon....Ke Nahi Kahoon...Yeh Jo Dil Ki Baat Hai

Kehne Ko Saath Apane Ek Duniya Chalti Hai..Per Chhupke Is Dil Mein Tanhaayi Palti Hai

Bas Yaad Saath Hai...Teri Yaad Saaath Hai